Recap: Sam Surridge hat-trick powers Nashville SC into US Open Cup final

NASHVILLE, TN - Nashville SC are through to the US Open Cup final, thanks to a hat-trick from striker Sam Surridge.

The Boys In Gold put in one of their best performances of the season, beating the Philadelphia Union 3-1 to book a spot in the final for the first time in club history. This was Nashville's third win against the Union in 2025.

The XI

BJ Callaghan made a handful of changes after Saturday's 2-1 loss in Cincinnati. Alex Muyl, Ahmed Qasem, Jeisson Palacios and Andy Nájar returned to the lineup, with Walker Zimmerman and Tyler Boyd absent from the matchday squad entirely.

Brian Schwake also made a rare appearance in goal, continuing his run of starting ahead of Joe Willis in the Open Cup.

On the pitch

The opening exchanges of the first half were incredibly tense and chippy. The Union pressed hard in the opening 15 minutes and set out to disrupt the game early, putting in several tough fouls on Nashville players, including one that forced Ahmed Qasem to exit the match at halftime, and studs-up challenge from Bruno Damiani that almost certainly should have warranted a red card.

Nashville found the breakthrough in the 36th minute, utilizing their favorite long-throw. Andy Nájar's throw was flicked on by Jeisson Palacios, who himself had a man-of-the-match performance, and buried by Sam Surridge. Shortly after the halftime break, the MLS Golden Boot leader added a second, heading in a broken play following a Hany Mukhtar set piece.

Quinn Sullivan pulled a goal back for the Union after a rare spell of sustained possession. The US international curled a shot past Brian Schwake into the side netting, giving the Union life with an unreal finish.

Just as the match started to get nervy, Surridge iced the game. The Englishman buried a flying volley after a pinpoint ball from Dan Lovitz, leaping to meet the ball and finishing past a frozen Andrew Rick for one of the more memorable goals in Nashville's short history.

Goals

• 36' | NSH | Sam Surridge (Jeisson Palacios)
• 50' | NSH | Sam Surridge
• 70' | PHI | Quinn Sullivan (Indiana Vassilev)
• 85' | NSH | Sam Surridge (Dan Lovitz)

The big picture

All the questions around Nashville, their form, and lack of results in MLS over the last six weeks? Answered. Emphatically.

In a semifinal match against the Supporters' Shield leaders, Nashville didn't just grind out a win. They played one of their most complete matches of the season, dealing with an intense amount of pressure from the Union and still finding ways to exploit space and create chances.

Sam Surridge has fully taken ownership of this team. Up to 26 goals in all competitions, the striker has consistently stepped up in the most crucial moments and put the team on his back.

Under BJ Callaghan, Nashville have instantly turned this club around. This run to the US Open Cup final has both validated the work they've done to date, as well as creating a launching pad for future success, both in 2025 and beyond. It's hard not to look at this season as anything other than the start of something special.

Up next

Nashville won't have time to rest on their laurels. They're back in MLS with a crucial road trip to Orlando City this weekend. They'll travel for the US Open Cup final on Wednesday, October 1, playing the winner of Wednesday's semifinal between Austin FC and Minnesota United.

Stats

Possession: NSH 40% – 60% PHI
Total Passes: NSH 257 – 397 PHI
Shots: NSH 11 – 9 PHI
Shots on goal: NSH 8 – 5 PHI
Penalty kicks: NSH 0 – 0 PHI
Goals: NSH 3 – 1 PHI
Expected goals: NSH 1.53 – 1.37 PHI
Fouls: NSH 15 – 12 PHI
Yellow cards: NSH 2 – 5 PHI
Red cards: NSH 0 – 0 PHI
Announced attendance: 14,323

Highlights